Students, community members and faculty find surfing a great alternative to spending time in the gym. Growing rapidly as a worldwide sport, surfing is showing people the health benefits that come from an active life in the water.Trey Fortucci, a local surfer and student said, “I get the same benefits from surfing as I do from going to the gym. I dread going to the gym and working out, but surfing is something I love doing.” Fortucci continued that when you are surfing you are having the time of your life while getting fit and strong. Rand Blimes, a political science professor at BYUH, said surfing was a big part of his workout routine. Blimes was able to loose 40lbs this summer and credits surfing for much of his success. Fortucci said, “I feel like I will have a longer life if I keep surfing.”Surfing keeps your physical body healthy, but surfers also feel the psychological benefits that come from surfing. “Not only do I feel physically better but it gets me in a good head space as well,” Fortucci said. “Sliding waves takes me to another level and lets me forget about the problems and things that I have going on in my life. Surfing helps me to live in the moment and be able to adapt to the things around me,” said Jake Fullmer, a surfer from Laie. Local Stake President, Arthur Hanneman, said, “Surfing mentally gives you a good perspective on life. It connects you with Heavenly Father’s creations.” The water, fish, reef, clouds, and sand all come into play when you surf, continued Hanneman.You can see a lot of older people around here that still rip, said Hanneman, “Chuck Andrus and Dave Hancock, for example, are both over 60 years old and still charging Sunset Point.” They have been able to maintain their health and fitness because they are watermen and surfers, concluded Hanneman.
Writer: Trenton McCullough ~ Multimedia Journalist
